Goalkeeper Jack Butland may get the chance to line up against Manuel Neuer when England face Germany – and he believes compatriot Joe Hart is just as good as the Bayern Munich stopper.
Neuer, 29, is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world, having been named in FIFA’s FIFPro Team of the Year on every occasion since 2013. With three Bundesliga titles, as well as a World Cup and Champions League medal in his collection, Neuer also finished third in the 2014 Ballon d’Or – only losing out to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
He is Germany’s undoubted first choice despite Joachim Low having a strong list to choose from, with Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp of Paris Saint-Germain also highly thought of.
Usually, his opposite number when facing England would be Manchester City’s Hart, but he suffered a calf injury in Sunday’s derby defeat to Manchester United.
That leaves the door open for the likes of Butland, and a fit-again Fraser Forster, to stake their claim for a place in Roy Hodgson’s side for the European Championships with strong performances in the game in Germany, and then Tuesday’s Wembley clash with Holland.
And Stoke’s Butland, who spent time as Hart’s club team-mate when the pair crossed paths at Birmingham, believes England’s current first choice is just as good as the likes of Neuer.
“He’s right up there and he is one of the best in the world,” Butland said when asked where Hart ranked.
#eng v #ger: Butland; Clyne, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Alli, Dier, Henderson; Lallana, Kane, Welbeck.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) March 25, 2016
“Whether it is watching on TV, training with him with England or back when he was at Birmingham, there are always things to learn. Joe got injured this week, so you never know. I don’t prepare to sit on the bench, I prepare to play because you never know what is going to happen.
“I spoke to him and obviously wished him well. I was kind of hoping I was bridging the gap anyway, but now he is not here, it is a little bit different. But you never wish to see somebody injured. I saw the game live, but you get people texting you and it is not like that really.
“It’s not nice to see a fellow player, and somebody I have known for a long time and get on well with, be injured. But it’s great to see the others performing so well and being part of a squad that is so competitive.”
At the other end of the pitch, Low is wary of ‘dangerous’ England striker Jamie Vardy and impressed by the Leicester City forward’s performances.
The 29-year-old Vardy is set to face world champions Germany at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium after his 19 goals have helped Leicester top the Premier League table.
Vardy made his debut last year then played as captain Wayne Rooney’s understudy during England’s flawless 10 wins from 10 qualifying matches for Euro 2016.
With Rooney injured, Vardy could well face the Germans tonight and his performances for Leicester have certainly hit Low’s radar.
“I think it’s spectacular how well he plays, he’s quick and he has an unbelievable eye for goal, he’s always looking to score,” Low said.
“Containing him will be a task for our defence. We have already looked at the way he plays and he always plays from deep.
“He’s a striker who is extremely dangerous and we’ve been watching him. I don’t know of many players who like to find the space as much as he does and likes to go exactly where it hurts defenders the most.”
